Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Admits He Wants a Striker and a Midfielder as Chase for Villa and Diame Intensifies

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to bring in a striker and a midfielder before the January transfer window closes later this week"

Arsene Wenger admitted he wants to buy a new striker before the January transfer window shuts Thursday, while also revealing he is in the market for a new midfielder.

Arsenal were expected to be one of the busier teams in the winter window, after another indifferent first half of the season; however, Wenger has not brought in a single new face so far and time is running out for the side with only a few more days left in the window.

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Arsenal have been linked with several names in the forward front, including David Villa, Adrian Lopez, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, and while Wenger revealed he is in the market for a new goalscoring forward, he insisted it would not be easy.

"Quality-wise no, number-wise, we could be a bit short maybe," Wenger said, while denying he had made a bid for Jovetic. "Gervinho is not here at the moment. We have Walcott, who can play through the middle and then of course Giroud.

"You do not find them in the street, the strikers that can play for us and strengthen our team. It's difficult in January."

The Gunners are still hopeful of completing a deal for Villa, despite Wenger's denials, and the North London club are ready to wait until the final moments before trying to seal up the deal.

Arsenal are also reportedly looking at bringing in a defensive midfielder this month, with Mohamed Diame their prime target, while Victor Wanyama and Etienne Capoue are also being considered.

Asked if he was confident of signing a new midfielder, Wenger refused to be drawn out into making a positive comment. "I cannot tell you that," he added. "In this kind of job it is realism that is important.

"Realistically I cannot tell you I will sign anyone tomorrow (Monday), or Tuesday, as we are not close to doing it."

Wenger generally looks to make his signings either very early in the transfer window, or right at the end.

With only three days remaining before the January window closes, the manager will be looking to tie up a couple of deals. But don't expect them to be officially announced before Thursday, at best.